Sounds Like a Revolution

Saw this film in Calgary at the Plaza. I was aware of the premise from a preview I saw and interested in learning more. The topic struck me as one with great challenges when dealing with the culture who's input was required. Still, the film maker managed to line up some incredible interviews- a broad range of performers from Fat Mike of NOFX to David Crosby. Other performers, too, give their voice with good, solid results. And the inclusion of industry professionals added the economic angle to the mix. The money side of things can never be dismissed. The questions asked (though unheard on screen) moved the sequence of topics ahead based on the responses of the interviewees. Using this approach the issue of music as a tool of revolution was expanded to include a broad range of conditions influencing its effectiveness. And it was through these revelations that this doc really hit home with me. The pace, editing and especially the apparent quality of those interview questions- are outstanding considering the fact that (from my research) this seems to be the first feature length documentary from this film maker.

Good music always comes from the heart. It can also come from the head and the gut, but the heart has to be there. When an artist gets it right the song resonates for days, weeks and sometimes decades with an every changing audience.

Sounds Like a Revolution is a small film that examines the David and Goliath role of the corporation and government in the world of music. This uncomfortable relationship has been growing for decades. However,today the film explores how the link between the corporate and the government agenda can take the form of creative censorship.

This is a film for anyone who think that all the protest music was created and the migrated to FM stations in the 60's. It's alive and well. It's just that it doesn't have a large audience due to the perfect storm of corporate agendas matched to political agendas as the film points out.

Good music is out there. Protest music is out there. Watch this film and you may find yourself repeating the line from the classic film "Network", "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." And even if you don't the film with educate and entertain at the same time...and that's a win any day.

The Toronto Undeground Cinema was host to a politically charged punk rock documentary in their third-annual Moving Images Festival. Corporate vs. independent and the political debate between both; should artists have to conform to the censorship of large corporations, or should they simply make their own independent label? This was the topic discussed in the two-hour documentary, Sounds Like a Revolution. Tailing the lives of independent artists such as Fat Mike, Tom Morello, Michael Franti and Anti-Flag, viewers were given their perspectives on the corporate America music scene. The footage seemed a little dated, but it made a clear point, on numerous occasions, the loss of freedom of expression through the eyes of these independent artists. Their rise of activism and their steep fall on the music charts. With a background in Political Science and a passion for film making, Ontario born Summer Preney (Love) created this bureaucratic documentary. She got a force of enthusiastic film makers and activists who now go by the name, Deltatime Productions. That being said Preney touched on the subject of 9/11 and how it had affected the music scene. How the Dixie Chicks were blacklisted for standing up for their political views and much more. I would have to say the Preney made me think about how the music scene here in Canada is also affected by corporate America. Many Canadian artists sign with American Corporations and are used as clay and molded to what Sony or Epic Records believes will sell the most. I would have like to hear from a major recording artists, the Dixie Chicks perhaps or a large corporation and gotten their perspective on the issue, even if they refused to comment, perhaps that put into the mix to shake things up and make it not so independent. However, that being said there was a lot of information thrown at me and I walked out of the theatre mulling things over in my head and wondering how my music choices have affected the music scene. rachelmchollister.wordpress.com

By far, this is the best documentary I have ever seen! From learning what these artists go thru on a daily basis just to be able to sing what they truly believe and at same time, make a decent living - made me gain so much more respect for them. This film taught me so many life lessons, including to never be afraid to take a stand for something you believe. Couldn't help but wonder after watching "Sounds Like a Revolution," Where is this "freedom of speech" that we hear so many great things about in America? And what exactly do our soldiers fight for if we never have it completely? If the US government makes it very difficult for any artist who wants to take a stand and sing against war or something else they strongly believe....So glad I watched this documentary as I'm more aware of what is really going on nowadays and now I can try and help make a change - for the better, at least!

This film features footage of live concerts and interviews with music makers protesting the Bush Era politics post 9-11. The arguments they make are rather compelling. A short excerpt from an interview with folk legend David Crosby drives home the point that in the Bush era, musicians and artists were discouraged from singing or speaking out against the war in Iraq. The movie is worth a viewing or two to experience the music of this historical time and see some great footage and rare clips. Getting an inside peak at artists discussing their passion for social justice and watching them perform in front of supportive audiences is inspiring. The economic structure surrounding the music business was eloquently discussed by ethnomusicologist Rob Bowman. The film focuses on a subject matter that remains outside of main stream media attention.